Last week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY, we had presenters Narayan Khandekar who oversees the Forbes Pigment Collection in conversation on color and restoration with Zapotec Textile Artist + Natural Dyer Porfirio Gutíerrez. The two had mini-presentations of their work and then engaged in a wonderful and intimate conversation about color coming from their own unique work.
Watch the recording below.
More about Porfirio Gutíerrez:
Porfirio Gutíerrez is known internationally for his exceptional devotion to the textile traditions of his home pueblo of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, a richly historic Zapotec textile artist community. His mission has been reinvigorating and preserving natural dyeing techniques for future generations both in Oaxaca as well as in Ventura, California. Gutierrez’s work brings awareness to a profound spiritual belief that nature is a living being, sacred and honored.
Porfirio has been recognized by leading organizations such as the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, Fomento Cultural Banamex, Harvard University’s Forbes Pigment Collection, and the International Folk Art Market for his tireless work and commitment to his native culture. As a native Zapotec weaver, he advocates for the use and understanding of natural dyes in the creation of his beautifully handwoven textiles. His pieces are included in major museum collections and in the homes of private collectors across the United States, Mexico, and Europe.
His commitment to educating people about the importance of natural dyes helped him see the need for a comprehensive study garden and educational center in Teotitlán, where the local community and visitors alike could come to learn about the cultivation and use of native plants.
Shop Porfirio’s beautiful work in our Holiday Market here.
More about Narayan Khandekar:
Narayan Khandekar is Director of the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Director of the Center for the Technical Study of Modern Art, and Head of the Analytical Laboratory, Harvard Art Museums. He received a B.Sc. (Hons.) First Class and Ph.D. from the Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Melbourne and a Post-graduate Diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. He has been Teacher of Theory and Research Scientist at the Hamilton Kerr Institute, Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge; Conservator of Paintings, Melbourne University Gallery; and Scientist in the Museum Research Laboratory, Getty Conservation Institute. His principal interests are the technical examination of paintings and painting materials. He is the author on over sixty publications.
FEEDBACK FRIDAY
If you are not familiar with FEEDBACK FRIDAY, every other week, we speak with dyers, artists, scientists and scholars about our favorite topic, natural dyeing and color. Curated by Amy DuFault, Botanical Colors’ Sustainability Director and presented by Botanical Colors’ Founder Kathy Hattori.